If Patrick Kane wanted to be traded to the New York Rangers like so many theorized, he probably should’ve let the Chicago Blackhawks know about it sooner.
A day after Vladimir Tarasenko was shipped off to the Rangers, Kane spoke to members of the media and you can’t help but appreciate his honesty.
“It’s not like the happiest I’ve been to hear about a trade. … If things are going to happen, that was a team I was definitely looking at,” said Kane, as transcribed by The Athletic’s Mark Lazerus. “It seems like they kind of filled their void and went ahead and made a deal.”
Kane said he nd his agent, Pat Brisson, haven’t outright told the Blackhawks what they want yet.
“Obviously you want to do right by the franchise, and the organization here has been amazing to me and given me so much. So you definitely want what’s best for both sides.”
Kane’s game has taken a significant step back, but the truth of the matter is that he’s still be one of the most dynamic playmakers of the last decade. And surely Chicago wouldn’t be upset to move on from him, either.
Here is what Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli wrote about Kane, who came in at number four, in his latest Trade Targets:
The Kane market may have shifted dramatically in the last day or so with the Rangers’ acquisition of Vladimir Tarasenko. New York and Kane likely had a mutual infatuation, but the Rangers were likely scared off by his acquisition price and perhaps more importantly, his nagging hip injury. So what does that mean for the rest of the market at-large? Vegas would seem to be a natural potential destination given Mark Stone’s back surgery. Will watching the Rangers disappear as a landing spot cause the Kane camp to step up? The Hawks and Kane’s camp have been in contact but haven’t had any sort of substantive talk about how this will work or when or where. Or maybe Kane decides to stay put. And ‘Showtime’ holds all the cards with full ‘no-move’ and ‘no-trade clauses.

Speaking of trade targets…

A brand new edition of that targets list dropped Friday featuring Timo Meier in the top slot. Here’s what Seravalli wrote:
How amazing would it be if the New Jersey Devils get their guy and load up with Timo Meier? Not only would they go tit-for-tat with the Rangers, but the Hudson River rivals appear to be on a collision course in the first round of the playoffs. There is an instant Swiss connection possible with Meier and Nico Hischier. Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald wasn’t exactly cryptic when he said he’s looking for a “top six winger under team control.” For the rebuilding Sharks, Meier is one of the few assets they can move freely for a massive return. While the qualifying offer due will diminish San Jose’s return, most teams believe they can negotiate a long-term deal and keep Meier in the fold.
One Edmonton Oilers player found their way onto the list: Jesse Puljujarvi, who came in at number 13:
Kailer Yamamoto is inching closer to a return to the lineup and that will likely force a decision on Puljujarvi’s future in Edmonton. Last month, Yamamoto’s injury bought the Oilers some time. But prior to Yamamoto returning, Oilers GM Ken Holland sent a note to all 31 other clubs advising them that Puljujarvi was available for trade. A handful of teams reached out with interest. They ended up not needing to pull the trigger. Yamamoto is eligible to return to the lineup on Feb. 12 and once that happens, provided that everyone else is healthy, they will likely need to execute a trade. If he doesn’t go then, the 2016 No. 4 overall pick will likely need to be included in any sizable trade at the deadline in order to make the money work. In other words, Puljujarvi’s tenure in Edmonton is on borrowed time.
You can see the full list here.

Preds prospect suspended for spearing fan

Nashville Predators prospect Zachary L’Heureux has been suspended indefinitely by the QMJHL for spearing a fan.
The incident happened Wednesday evening after his Halifax Mooseheads lost to Gatineau in a shootout. On Friday, video of the incident surfaced.
Here’s some of what Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis wrote about the incident:
According to the Nashville Post, the father of the 16-year-old said there were no injuries on the play and that the first jab was the only one that made contact.
This is the ninth suspension for L’Heureux since starting his career back in Moncton in 2019-20. Known for his hard-nosed play, L’Heureux has 18 goals and 37 points in 24 games after missing the first half of the season with an injury.
The Nashville Predators drafted L’Heureux with the 27th pick in 2021. L’Heureux made a name for himself for his physicality, and it has never mattered that he’s only 5-foot-11. He has speed and quick hands, but his ability to get under the skin of just about anyone is what has made him so effective during his junior career.
And, of course, in trouble with the QMJHL’s safety department.
A league statement said the disciplinary committee will review the evidence over the weekend before making a decision on the suspension length.